The Pros and Cons of the Oil Industry
Energy availability plays an essential role in the sustainability of any society. In fact, Liu (2015) argues that lack thereof affects the productivity of a nation and could result in mediocre development. 84 percent of the global energy consumption is comprised of non-renewable energy (Sheng, 2013). Precisely, petroleum and other related products. As such, this consumption pattern poses a threat to the environment since the non-renewable sources are harmful to the climate but are also exhaustible. However, the utilization of petroleum has had constructive impacts on the industrial development over the years. Its popularity in the automobile industry has led to the development of the transport sector by nearly 15 percent in since the previous decades. However, what are the constructive and destructive impacts of oil to the sustainability of the environment. How will the continuous utilization of oil affect the globe in future?
Primarily, oil leads to environmental degradation. In fact, Sheng (2013) argues that continuous combustion of this fuel leads to the production of carbon dioxide that results in soil and air pollution. Oil is mainly preferred by many industries as the primary source of energy since it is cheaper and more reliable as opposed to other sources. For instance, atomic energy is almost twice expensive as opposed to oil making it inappropriate for most investors. As much as people in the corporate field show a bias towards the utilization of this fuel, it is essential to note that the destructions posed to the environment over the years are bound to be detrimental. The transfer of carbon from the earth and to the environment leads to a global warming effect. Additionally, oil spills have caused numerous deaths of the marine life through suffocation. Odell (2013) argues that oil spills create an air tight film thereby threatening the survival of the aquatic organisms.
Additionally, oil leads to the emission of harmful substances like carbon monoxide, sulfur dioxide and acid rain. Precisely, in the extraction process at the oil plants, the emission of sulfur dioxide to the environment poses respiratory problems to organisms that need oxygen for sustainability. Moreover, when this soluble gas combines with atmospheric moisture, it results in the formation of sulfuric (VI) acid that is released to the ground as acidified rain. In spite of the fact that modern extraction equipment have neutralized theses threats, it is worth mentioning that it poses a significant threat to survival. Moreover, oil mining in some nations has led to the development of terrorism. The revenue generated in countries like Saudi Arabia gives rise to the development of terrorist groups since the finances are used to finance illegal activities to enhance the influence of the owners of the mining fields. Consequently, one is justified to claim that the utilization of this fuel in most parts of the globe has detrimental impacts that are overlooked in most occasions. It is essential to express some caution over how this fuel is used since its continuous unregulated usage threatens environment’s sustainability.
On the flip side, the utilization of oil has some constructive impacts on the development of the economy, reliability in home use and the development of industries. According to Odell (2013), oil is renown for its high energy density. As such, the combustion of a small unit of this fuel yields more energy as opposed to its counterparts. This makes it more reliable and explains why it is the most preferred source of energy in automobiles. Consequently, one is justified to claim that the utilization of this fuel has enhanced the transportation industry and has contributed to the development of infrastructure. Precisely, it is widely distributed in most parts of the globe as opposed to other alternative sources of energy. Additionally, the infrastructure used to distribute oil to most sections of the globe is exemplary making it economical. This implies that the availability of oil in the globe is assured as opposed to other means of energy.
Additionally, utilization of oil is crucial for a wide variety of industries. Aside from the transportation industry, oil is used in the running of machinery in large companies due to its high-energy value. For a fact, oil machinery is more reliable as opposed to wind and solar powered equipment. This explains why it offers more reliable services in the industries as opposed to other energy sources (Okukpon, 2014). Its ease of production and refinery also enhances its preferences among most industries. Since it has been in extraction for a long time, companies ventured in this activity have a great demand on the market and constantly fluctuate the prices to meet the consumer needs. As a result, it is very affordable.
In conclusion, the utilization of oil as a primary means of energy has both constructive and destructive impacts on the globe. For instance, it’s readily available and easier to extract as opposed to other means of energy. Additionally, the distribution infrastructure is sustainable making it relatively easier to be supplied to the market. It is economical in many industries and a very reliable energy source. On the flip side, it leads to environmental degradation through soil, water and air pollution. Precisely, the development of global warming due to the greenhouse effect is a threat to the future. Finally, emergence of terrorism and violence due to the extraction of this mineral has emerged in some sections of the globe. Critically, the constructive effects of the utilization of this mineral outweigh the cons of its usage.
References
Liu, Z. Control engineering and information systems. 2015. Print.
Odell, P. (2013). An Economic Geography of Oil (Routledge Revivals). Hoboken: Taylor and Francis.
Okukpon, I. (2014). Phasing-Out Gas Flaring In Nigeria: A Critical Assessment of the Regulatory Regime. University of Cape Town.
Sheng, J. (2013). Enhanced oil recovery field case studies. Waltham, MA: Gulf Professional Publishing.
